I’ve done hours of research on these New York hotels with the best views so you don’t have to, when it comes to finding the perfect place to stay. And happily they don’t all cost a fortune either!

I’ve loved putting this post together, but it’s honestly taken weeks. In fact I’ve gone and booked three of the hotels below for my next visit to the Big Apple, while I decide which one to actually go with. The last one I think is my winner.

Pro tip: That’s why I like to use Booking.com or Expedia, to hold a room up until a few days before arrival. Then I can release the one/s I don’t want, but at least I know I have locked in my booking and the rate that was good.

However, one of my top tips is to split your NYC vacation into two areas, so you can explore say Downtown or even Brooklyn for a couple of days, then move to Midtown or up closer to Central Park for another couple of days.

Rookie tip: Just remember, when you book make sure to get a room with the view you’re after, lest you are housed at the back of the hotel looking over New Jersey!

If you want to get photos like mine above, you need to visit Summit One Vanderbilt. You’ll go up to the 93rd floor and walk on mirrored floors under mirrored ceilings with incredible views, repeating a billion times! Go up another floor, and you can have a cocktail at the terrace bar.

*This post contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase I may make a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Here are my picks for the best hotels with a view, grouped geographically

Hotels with Central Park Views

Your luxury hotels with lush park views are up here. They require you to splash some cash, but they offer the complete package with service and an experience to remember forever, as you rub shoulders with the rich and famous in your prime location.

The Plaza – This iconic New York hotel is right at the top of Fifth Avenue at the southeastern corner of Central Park. The Plaza is synonymous with New York glamour and has been here since 1907. We’re talking suites and penthouses with extensive patios, dripping in glam.

It also features in my post of the best New York hotels to celebrate Christmas because they go all out with decorations in the lobby and main areas and so much hoopla. I love it.

The Pierre – Opened in 1930, this classic hotel is Upper East Side luxury also with beautiful Central Park views. It’s on Fifth Avenue too, a bit further up from the Plaza, in the first block adjacent to Central Park.

Expect to see at least one blushing bride with her posse of bridesmaids, who get their photos taken in the park and have their ceremony and reception here amidst the opulence.

Trump International Central Park – probably because of politics, this hotel doesn’t get featured on a lot of lists. But I stayed here waaay back – possibly before Trump even had presidential aspirations – when I was a young naive travel writer and emailed to ask if they’d host me. And they did!

My Upper West Side view over the tree tops of Central Park in the fall was fabulous, albeit from one of the lower floors. That, and the Trump branded bathroom amenities and water bottles which I took home!

There is a 6000 square feet spa, an indoor heated pool and two restaurants.

Mandarin Oriental – This luxury hotel has probably the best view over Central Park and Columbus Circle. The lobby is on the 35th-floor, adorned with Dale Chihuly glass art and sweeping views of Central Park and the Hudson River.

Choose a room (with floor-to-ceiling windows of course) facing Central Park or with views stretching down the Hudson River beyond George Washington Bridge. Enjoy views from the indoor pool too.

Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park – This luxurious hotel has views that make Central Park look like your front yard. Grand Park View Rooms even come with telescopes for optimal people watching!

This will set you back a pretty penny, but you get what you pay for! However if this is not quite what you can pay for (me neither) scroll down as there are some affordable New York hotels below.

Hotels with Empire State Building Views

The Langham New York Fifth Avenue – Come here for opulence and glamor with your city views, or heck, why not grab the Presidential suite looking right at the famous Empire State Building. Located in the heart of Fifth Avenue, you can walk towards Bryant Park and the New York Public Library in one direction or two blocks to the Empire State Building in the other.

ModernHaus SoHo – Located in SoHo, this hotel makes the list for its rooftop pool and lounge, Jimmy, with amazing views, as well as Empire State Building views from some rooms. They proudy say the bathroom is separated from the living area by a glass wall, so make sure you’re comfortable with your roommate!

Hyatt Centric Midtown – This midtown Manhattan hotel offers Empire State Building views from some rooms and suites. Get a room with a patio and enjoy your morning coffee watching the city wake up. Hyatt Centric was voted the Best Luxury Modern Hotel in New York City for its boutique personalized service.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Chelsea – This hotel offers Empire State Building view rooms on its higher floors. Make sure you select the ESB view room though! It’s also one of the most affordable hotels in NYC, and the dates I’m looking at are around $350 per night. Some reviews say the hotel is tired, but for that price and this location, I’m ok with that.

Intercontinental New York Barclay Hotel – This premium hotel offers probably the best Empire State Building views from the comfort of your rooftop cocktail. Marble bathrooms, elegance and luxury, five-star hotel all within a few steps of the action of Times Square.

Hotels in Midtown Manhattan

The Standard High Line – The Standard has floor-to-ceiling windows in guest rooms opening onto beautiful Hudson River views across to New Jersey, in the trendy Meatpacking District. It’ll be great for July 4th fireworks views on the Hudson. But check first, as some years they set them up over on the East River.

The High Line is a delightful walk on an old railway line, about one or two stories above street level. It’s landscaped with trees and flowers and nearby buildings boast mural art (see my photo above).

Ink 48 Hotel – This hotel will also be ideal for fireworks views when they are on the Hudson River. You can get city skyline views or river views here and access to the Press Lounge rooftop bar with 360-degree views of everything.

It’s ideally located at the cruise terminal too, if you are needing a night in New York before you set sail.

Dominick Hotel, SoHo – You’ll get fabulous views in all directions at the Dominick. Depending on which level you book, you can see uptown and the Empire State Building, down town and across the Hudson River. Another great July 4th fireworks option too (provided the fireworks are launched on the Hudson).

They have a spa, four restaurants and a seasonal outdoor pool on the 7th floor to watch the city lights from.

Hotels with Times Square Views

Walking distance from everything in the heart of New York City.

The heart of Manhattan is Times Square. It’s where first-time visitors to New York often choose to stay to see the bright lights and the theater district. You’re not going to get the breathtaking skyline views here (see below for those), but it’s a good location for walking in both directions, seeing a Broadway show, and covering as much of Manhattan by foot as possible.

Times Square is not actually a square. Don’t be expecting something like Leicester Square in London, or Trafalgar Square. There’s nowhere you stand and say “oh here I am, I’m in the middle of Times Square”. Broadway criss-crosses like a bow-tie through it and traffic is going in all directions, but it is lined with neon billboards, theatres, and it sure as heck is bustling!

M Social Times Square – M Social is skewed to the young and hip traveler. I’ve stayed in one in Miami, and they’re very fun. But this M Social actually has Ball Drop views over Times Square, and Hudson River views. It’s great if you’re in town for a show and want to be in the heart of it all with enjoy a rooftop bar view – if you don’t have one from your room.

Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square – Right in the heart of Manhattan, this hotel offers rooms with Times Square views, including Ball Drop views too, if you don’t want to stand in the cold for nine hours waiting till midnight on new year’s eve! You’re close to theatres, Bryant Park and in the heart of the action.

See more of my picks for hotels with Ball Drop views for New Year’s Eve in New York

Best Brooklyn hotels with stunning Manhattan skyline views

DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a fun area to stay, or just visit for a few hours. There is a flea market here and of course, that famous Insta view under the bridge.

You can walk across the Manhattan Bridge too from DUMBO to Chinatown (or vice versa), alongside the cars and trains (you’re separated by a fence!)

But the hotels below offer the most breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as a couple in New Jersey.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – You’ll get spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge from this 10-floor eco-luxury hotel with its Audi E-Tron vehicle offering complimetary rides within a 3km radius. Its sublime waterfront location and the city skyscrapers are right there in front of you. You may never want to leave your room – unless you need a workout in the fitness center!

This is also a great hotel to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks from, and possibly July 4th – if they have the barges on the East River that is. Last year they were on the Hudson.

Williamsburg

The William Vale Hotel – You’ll have panoramic Manhattan views through your floor-to-ceiling windows. This modern luxury hotel is located in a hip neighborhood amongst New York’s famous mural art scene.

It has a huge rooftop bar, Westlight (which features on my list of the best rooftop restaurants in New York) with an outdoor patio for dining and drinking in those expansive skyline views.

Arlo Williamsburg – Formerly the Williamsburg Hotel, located in North Brooklyn and one Subway stop from East Village, you’ll get Manhattan or Brooklyn views through the 10-foot windows in your room. Many rooms also have private balconies. Head to the Water Tower Bar for a sunset cocktail.

Wythe Hotel – This boutique hotel is set in a refurbished factory that is oh-so Brooklyn with its exposed brick walls, heated concrete floors and industrial-chic decor. The higher views are fabulous over the buildings in front, across the East River to the Manhattan skyline view.

Head to Bar Blondeau on the 6th floor for small plates with your view, or enjoy the French on-site restaurant, Le Crocodile on the ground floor.

Roosevelt Island

A hidden gem! This underrated island stands in the middle of the East River with Manhattan just a bagel throw in one direction, and Queens in the other, connected by the Ed Kosh Queensboro Bridge.

Graduate by Hilton is the only hotel on this skinny little island located on the Cornell Tech Campus, and it sure has the views! It’s an eco-certified 4-star hotel and the rooms are fun and family-friendly with pin ball machines, bunkbeds and games in some.

You can get to Manhattan via the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which is a cable car crossing the river from 59th and 2nd to the island, or the F Train to Midtown.

Best New Jersey Hotels with a View

Don’t forget New Jersey! For those of us not too familar with the layout of New York and neighboring states, New Jersey is across the Hudson River on the west of Manhattan Island and offers probably the most iconic views of NYC, and at more affordable prices than Manhattan.

That skyline, all lit up from across the Hudson. You really can’t beat it if you’re after views on a moderate budget.

Jersey City

Jersey City is located across from the Financial District. Use the Holland Tunnel across to the SoHo neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.

Hyatt House Jersey City – This apartment-style hotel is good for extended stays as all rooms have full kitchens, or just a couple of nights. It has outstanding Manhattan skyline views across the Hudson River.

Enjoy a cocktail at the rooftop H Bar, and get in quick to book for the July 4th fireworks – but make sure they will be on the Hudson this year.

The Westin Jersey City Newport – This premium waterfront hotel faces Manhattan, with floor-to-ceiling windows and the luxury amenities we’ve grown to love about Westins. Three-minute short walk to Newport PATH station into NYC, just nine minutes away. Enjoy strolling the waterfront and clicking those views.

Hyatt Regency Jersey City – This 4-star hotel is situated on a pier jutting out into the river so you can see not only the New York skyline, but also the Statue of Liberty to the south. An ideal location for July 4th fireworks – provided they are on the Hudson. Every room in this newly renovated property offers city views.

Weehawken

W Hoboken – This W has rooms with full river and NYC skyline views, and some with partial views. This 4-star hotel comes with all the trendy amenities, waterfront location for some fresh air and easy access to the PATH station into Manhattan.

Govenor’s Island

A hidden gem: Where?! You’ve possibly never heard of Govenor’s Island, but this property wins for panoramic views!

Located off the southern tip of Manhattan and west of Brooklyn – you can glamp here! That’s right, glamorous camping. In tents. It’s not cheap, but for Statue of Liberty views, short of staying on Liberty Island itself, you can’t get closer.

Plus those Lower Manhattan skyline views, with the stars above (actually unless there’s a power cut across NYC you’re not likely to see the stars), puts Collective Retreats well and truly on this list of best places to stay in NYC with a view.

This location would be IDEAL for fireworks views on July 4th or New Year’s Eve too (if it’s open, I think it shuts for winter). There’s a restaurant in another tent, fire pits, your own en suite bathrooms in the accommodations. I’m hoping to stay there soon!